Actor Mickey Rourke is thought to have had a chin implant as well as several other cosmetic procedures, including cheek implants, a facelift, brow lift, work on his eyelids and lip fillers. He's shown here in Los Angeles in October 2010.

Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has a "presidential chin,'' in the eyes of Dr. Darrick Antell, a New York plastic surgeon. (As in the case of Bill Clinton, the doctor is by no means suggesting Romney had a chin implant.)

"Certainly the 'Kirk Douglas' chin is often cited as desirable,'' says Dr. Darrick Antell, a New York plastic surgeon. (Again, the doctor is not suggesting that his chin was an implant.) Here Douglas appears in "The Heroes of Telemark", filmed on location in Norway in February 1965.

Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger also has a strong chin, Dr. Darrick Antell says. "Imagine how Arnold Schwarzenegger would appear with a weak chin," the New York plastic surgeon says. "It just would not work, and he would be perceived entirely differently."

Former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, now of the reality TV show "Keeping up with the Kardashians,'' is believed to have had a chin implant among other cosmetic enhancements. Jenner reportedly had plastic surgery in the 1980s, then had more work done several years ago. Here he attends a Los Angeles Lakers game in Los Angeles in January.

Chin implants are the fastest growing cosmetic surgery procedures, a trend plastic surgeons say likely was prompted by the proliferation of video chatting and aging baby boomers’ efforts to be successful at work.

Chin augmentation increased more than breast augmentation, Botox and liposuction together last year, according to new figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It was up in all demographic groups, with the rate higher in men than women, and greatest in patients age 40 and up. (See chart, below.)

“The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging,” ASPS President Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth said. “We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be. Chin implants can make a dramatic difference.”

Dr. Darrick Antell, a New York plastic surgeon, told The Orange County Register, “Many of my patients who have had chin work hear comments like, ‘Have you been working out lately?’ I think that sums it up well. And you can’t diet and exercise your way to a stronger chin. You either have it, or you don’t.”

Antell said in the ASPS news release, “The chin has long been used as a basis for judgment of human character. We may perceive someone with a strong prominent chin to automatically be more aggressive, athletic and decisive. This is true of both men and women.”

Chin implants are done under local anesthesia, he says, and patients are back to work within 3 days.

The plastic surgery web siteRealSelf.compegged the average cost of a chin implant at $4,671. Dr. Ali Sajjadian of Newport Beach is quoted on their site as saying depending on the geographic area of the country and the doctor’s expertise, the cost can range from $4,000 to $7,000.

The site also has a page on possible complications. Among the plastic surgeons weighing in is Dr. Paul Nassif (who you may have seen on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”). He says patients need to be aware of such potential problems as infection, nerve damage, lip dysfunction and implant rejection or movement.

Category

‘Chinplants’in 2011

2011 vs. 2010

Overall

20,680

71% increase

Women

10,087

66% increase

Men

10,593

76% increase

20-29 years

2,750

68% increase

30-39 years

2,587

69% increase

40-54 years

5,075

77% increase

55 and over

8,459

70% increas

Other cosmetic procedures that had increases in 2011, according to the ASPS:

Marilyn Kalfus covers news, issues, and trends for The Orange County Register's award-winning Sunday Real Estate section, which in 2015 and 2017 snagged the top prize for best U.S. newspaper real estate section from the National Association of Real Estate Editors. She also writes stories, edits photos and puts together slideshows for our popular Hot Homes feature about iconic, big-ticket and unusual properties on the market. On weekends, she edits police, breaking news and general assignment reporters.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.